About me

Here are 7 things about me:

I always love tea. Any kind, any time. A warm cup in my hands just feels right.

  1. I love snuggling with my baby girl. The warmth, the closeness—nothing else matters in those moments.

  2. I practice Taiji. The rhythm, the movement, the stillness within—it keeps me grounded.

  3. I love watching Totoro with my baby girl. I’ve always loved it, but since becoming a mum, it means even more.

  4. Food is memory. A bowl of noodles, the smell of something familiar cooking—it’s connection, culture, and comfort all at once.

  5. I have a soft spot for red pandas. Small, expressive, full of personality.

  6. I want my work to feel like a deep breath. A quiet pause, a moment of connection, something that lingers.

Hello, I’m Moonlie.

I’m an artist and illustrator, currently based in Mechelen, Belgium, after spending many years in London. I create work that sits between naturalism and quiet storytelling — using animals, atmosphere, and small everyday moments to hold something gentle and real.

I’ve worked on children’s books and collaborative projects, including published work with Quarto, as well as earlier projects like Bear Cubs and Birth Matters. Each one has shaped how I think about storytelling — not just what is shown, but what is felt underneath.

My practice moves between illustration and fine art. In my drawings, I’m often searching for stillness — the weight of a line, the space around it, the silence it holds. That same quiet strength carries into my illustration work, where I try to keep things soft, open, and emotionally honest.

A lot of what I make comes from everyday life. Slow mornings, food and memory, being with my child, and the small moments that stay longer than expected. My Chinese Malaysian roots and the places I’ve lived continue to shape how I see and tell stories.

I usually begin with observation — sketching, collecting references, sitting with something until it settles. From there, I work between ink, pencil, and paint, allowing the process to stay a little loose and responsive. I enjoy working closely with clients, especially on projects that value storytelling, atmosphere, and emotional depth.

When I’m not drawing, I’m often writing, cooking, or walking slowly somewhere with my daughter.

If you’d like to work together, or just say hello, I’d love to hear from you.

Competition

Highly Commended Illustrator, FAB Prize, 2022

Exhibition

  • Make Birth Better - Annual Birth Trauma Summit - May 2023

  • Bologna Children’s Fair - Illustrators Wall, April - August 2021

  • Discover Story Centre London - Inner Monsters Art Exhibition, September - December 2020

Testimonial

I had the pleasure of working with Moonlie on a book project in 2023. I run a play project in South East London, and we wanted to create a special book as a Christmas gift for the children who attend our sessions.

Moonlie was fantastic to work with—clear, thoughtful, a great listener, and genuinely committed to producing something meaningful. The book combined photographs of the children at play, some text I had written, and Moonlie’s beautiful illustrations. She brought everything together seamlessly and designed a finished product that truly captured the spirit of our project.

The result was Let’s Go to Bear Cubs—a book we’re all incredibly proud of. We received so much positive feedback, not only about the concept but especially about Moonlie’s stunning illustrations. It was a joy to collaborate with her.

Emily Adlington 

Bear Cubs Project Manager

Contact me:

Drop me a message at moonlie.fong[@]gmail.com